Burnley became the latest team to try, and fail, to thwart Rory Delap's long-range missiles but recovered to earn a point in their battle for survival.

Although moving the advertising boards closer to the pitch so Stoke's human sling was restricted to a shorter run-up might have seemed like a good idea at the time, it made little difference.

Delap either made his approach through the gaps between the barriers or, in the case of Stoke's opening goal, simply ran at an angle along the touchline to deliver his trademark throws.

On target: Tuncay gave Stoke the lead at Turf Moor

It worked like a dream after 23 minutes. Delap delivered, Mamady
Sidibe flicked on and Tuncay got in front of Danny Fox to power in a
header that Brian Jensen could only help on its way into the back of
the net.

Stunning in its simplicity and all the more embarrassing for Burnley
considering the lengths to which they had gone to rein him in.

Throwing the game: Delap set up team-mate Tuncay for the game's opener

Not surprisingly, it was the 10th goal Delap's party trick has created for Stoke this season.

'We noticed it as soon as we came out on to the pitch,' said Stoke
manager Tony Pulis. 'It's their football club and they do what they
have to do. But Rory has got the technique down a treat for us.'

The Eagle hasn't landed: Burnley's midfielder hit the side-netting

In the end, Burnley were grateful to David Nugent's second-half
header for a point. Manager Brian Laws reacted with mock innocence when
asked about the ploy to thwart Delap.

'What boards?,' he said. 'They are there for the advertisers. 'We
aren't the first team to concede from it and we won't be the last. We
got a bit excited and four of our players went for one ball. It's the
second phase Stoke always get the goal from.'

A draw could still not lift Laws's side out of the relegation zone.
They have won only once in their last 18 League games and Saturday's
visit of fellow strugglers Wolves has taken on almost must-win
proportions.

Nugent struck in the 52nd minute, rising to meet Martin Paterson's
cross from the right and power a header past Thomas Sorensen for his
sixth goal of the season.

Drawing level: Nugent equalised for Burnley in the 52nd minute

There were other chances to beat the Dane, but the fact that the
main talking point was a throw-in sums up how bad this encounter was.

Chris Eagles's opening effort was skewed so badly off target that it went out for a throw-in on the other side of the pitch.

Eagles scooped another clear chance over from 15 yards late on,
although it was his fine crossfield pass that had picked out Paterson
at the far post 12 minutes before half-time.

The former Stoke striker tried to take it first-time and slid his
effort wide. Andy Wilkinson also had to hack the ball to safety under
pressure from Nugent and Eagles after Sorensen could not hold on to
Paterson's viciously swerving cross-shot in the second half, leaving
Pulis happy with a point.

The Stoke boss sent on youngster Louis Moult for his debut late on
but denied he had rested some of his key players. 'We're down to the
bare bones,' he said. 'We've got six or seven players out. We're still
wearing nappies in respect of the Premier League and we wouldn't go
anywhere and take teams lightly.'